Delphinium plant named ‘Sweet Sensation’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Delphinium  hybrid cultivar named ‘Sweet Sensation’ is disclosed, characterized by an upright plant habit and vigorous growth and flowers with a large quantity of petals, in a unique color combination of dark purple and blue. The new cultivar produces strong flower stems, freely and continuously flowering from early through late Summer. The new variety is a  Delphinium  hybrid, suitable for garden or outdoor container use.

Latin name of the genus and species: Delphinium hybrid.

Variety denomination: ‘Sweet Sensation’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new variety was discovered, by the inventor, as the result of planned breeding program, involving hand-crossing of proprietary seedlings in Scotland. The parent varieties are both unnamed, undistributed proprietary seedlings. The discovery of the new variety was made by the inventor, Tony Coakley in August 2001 in a cultivated field of Delphiniums in Glasgow, Scotland.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘Sweet Sensation’ by tissue culture was performed in the Netherlands following selection and has shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable and reproduced true to type in successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘Sweet Sensation’ has not been observed under all possible environmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat with variations in environment such as temperature, day length, and light intensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined to be the unique characteristics of ‘Sweet Sensation’ These characteristics in combination distinguish ‘Sweet Sensation’ as a new and distinct Delphinium cultivar:

-   -   1. Upright plant habit.     -   2. Vigorous growth habit.     -   3. Strong flower stem.     -   4. Freely and continuous flowering habit.     -   5. Increased number of petals.     -   6. Unique color combination within the floret.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Morning Sunrise’ are similar to plants of the seed parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid in most horticultural characteristics; however, flowers of the new variety have more petals, and a stronger, more consistent color.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘Morning Sunrise’ are similar to plants of the pollen parent variety, an unnamed Delphinium hybrid in most horticultural characteristics; however, flowers of the new variety have more petals, and a stronger, more consistent color.

The inventor is unaware of similar commercial varieties for comparison to ‘Morning Sunrise.’ The strong flowering stems, unique flower coloration and increased petal count make the new cultivar unlike other Delphiniums in the trade.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color a typical plant of ‘Sweet Sensation’ grown outdoors in Scotland. The pot size is a 1 liter container. The plant shown is approximately 9 months. The photograph was taken using conventional techniques and although colors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectance it is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The Royal Horticultural Society Colour Chart except where general terms of ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observations and measurements describe ‘Sweet Sensation’ plants grown outdoors in the Scotland from Winter to Summer. The growing temperature ranged from 5° C. to 17° C. at night to 14° C. to 28° C. during the day. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typical flowering types.

-   Botanical classification: Delphinium hybrid cultivar ‘Sweet     Sensation.’

PROPAGATION

-   Time to rooting: About 4 to 5 weeks at approximately 10° C. -   Root description: Fine, fibrous and fleshy roots.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Upright herbaceous perennial. -   Height: Approximately 95 cm. -   Blooming period: Naturally blooming continuously from early through     late Summer. -   Plant spread: Approximately 60 cm. -   Growth rate: Vigorous. -   Branching characteristics: Very few branches. -   Length of lateral branches: Approximately 55 cm. -   Diameter of lateral branches: Approximately 1.2 cm. -   Quantity of lateral branches: Approximately 2 to 3. -   Texture of lateral branches: Smooth, non-pubescent. -   Color of lateral branches: Near RHS Yellow-Green 144A. -   Aspect: Approximately 15 to 25° Angle. -   Number of leaves per lateral branch: Approximately 35. -   Age of plant described: Approximately 9 months from a rooted tissue     culture liner.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:     -   -   Arrangement.—Rosette at plant base and alternate along             flowering stems.         -   Average length.—Approximately 15 cm cm.         -   Average width.—Approximately 16 cm.         -   Shape of blade.—Palmately lobed; Symmetrical.         -   Apex.—Acute to acuminate.         -   Base.—Reniform to hastate.         -   Attachment.—Stalked.         -   Margin.—Incised.         -   Texture of top surface.—Smooth.         -   Texture of bottom surface.—Smooth.         -   Color.—Upper side: Near R.H.S. Green 137A. Under side: Near             Green 138B.         -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: Near             Green 137B. Venation color under side: Near Green 138C. -   Petiole:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 10 cm.         -   Diameter.—Approximately 0.4 cm.         -   Coloration.—Near RHS Yellow-Green 144B.         -   Texture.—Smooth.

FLOWER

-   Bloom period: Typically flowering continuously from early through     late Summer. -   Bud:     -   -   Bud shape.—Orbicular to obovate.         -   Bud length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Bud diameter.—Approximately 2.0 cm.         -   Bud color.—Near RHS Purple 77A. -   Inflorescence:     -   -   Form.—Numerous multi-petaled flowers arranged on a raceme.         -   Length of flowering stem.—Approximately 40 cm.         -   Diameter of flowering stem.—Approximately 10 cm. -   Flower:     -   -   Quantity of individual flowers per flowering stem.—About 30.         -   Diameter of individual flower.—Approximately 6.0 cm.         -   Depth of individual flower.—Approximately 2.1 cm.         -   Persistence.—Persists. -   Petals/petaloids:     -   -   Arrangement.—Whorled.         -   Aspect/orientation.—Flat outward to slightly downward,             approximately 5° angle.         -   Shape.—Oblong.         -   Quantity.—Approximately 50.         -   Length.—Approximately 2.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Apex shape.—Rounded.         -   Base.—Roughly obtuse.         -   Margin.—Entire to serrulate.         -   Texture.—Smooth, glabrous.         -   Color.—Upper surface at first opening. Near RHS Blue 100A.             Upper surface at maturity: Near RHS Purple 77B, 78D and Blue             100A mixed with Yellow-Green 144A and 145A. Upper surface at             fading: Not fading, same as mature coloration. Under surface             at first opening: Near RHS Purple 77A. Under surface at             maturity: Near RHS Purple 77B, 78D and Blue 100A mixed with             Yellow-Green 144A and 145A. Under surface at fading: Not             fading, same as mature coloration. -   Spurs:     -   -   Length.—Approximately 1.5 cm.         -   Width.—Approximately 0.3 cm.         -   Color.—Near RHS Violet 84A. -   Sepals: None observed.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

All organs are fragmented due to the amount of petals, making the cultivar sterile.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Disease resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to     diseases or pests has been observed in this variety. -   Drought tolerance and temperature tolerance: Extremely hardy     perennial. Hardy to −20° C. Upper temperature tolerance unknown. No     tolerance for drought. -   Fruit/seed production: Cultivar is sterile, no fruit or seed     produced. 

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Delphinium plant named ‘Sweet Sensation’ as herein illustrated and described. 